EDMONTON - The plan to give three popular Parks Canada hot springs a spa-style makeover by transferring their operation to private companies is plowing ahead despite concerns from critics who say the plan will cost parks staff their jobs and increase costs for visitors. Miette Hot Springs in Jasper National Park, Banff Upper Hot Springs in Banff National Park, and Radium Hot Springs in Kootenay National Park are slated to be run by private operators in the hopes of boosting attendance.

“We recognize they’re great, but they could be even better and we feel the private sector is in the best position to define what the future should be, what the market wants, and ultimately make the changes to help them meet their potential,” said Tracy Thiessen, executive director of mountain parks for Parks Canada, about the Miette pool.

Miette has not been a money-losing operation but Thiessen said its attendance numbers have stayed flat, while the spa industry in Canada has exploded. Parks Canada should focus on its core mandate of educating Canadians, protecting ecological integrity, and providing great experiences for visitors, rather than running hot pools, she said.

“I don’t think we’re wishing for a complete change but we’re hoping a private sector flair for marketing and pleasing their customers will bring more people to Miette.”

A bidding process to lease the hot springs is expected to start within the next three months. Thiessen would not say whether one company would be responsible for the three hot springs or how long the leases would be.

The privatization move comes a year after the federal government approved Brewster Travel Canada’s bid to develop a glass-floored observation deck in Jasper National Park. The plan was attacked in an online petition eventually signed by 180,000 people.

The move also follows a $29-million budget cut to Parks Canada announced by the federal government and the planned elimination of more than 600 jobs. Thiessen said plans for the hot springs were developed before the 2012 budget announcement and that any jobs lost wouldn’t be counted in the government employment target.

But the union representing employees at Miette Hot Springs said privatization of the pools goes beyond potential job losses, with the possibility of rising admission rates and concerns about whether a private operator would maintain the integrity of the pools.

“This isn’t just about employees losing their jobs, this is about changing the face of a community that’s built around something that belongs to all Canadians,” said Marianne Hladu, regional executive vice-president of the prairie region for the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

Hladu believes the changes at the hot spring are part of austerity measures at Parks Canada.

Jill Seaton, past president of the Jasper Environmental Association and 20-year resident of Jasper, thinks the approval of the observation deck and the private operation of the hot springs could start a domino effect of privatization that could affect standards of service by companies that will try to maximize profits.

“It’s this creeping idea of privatization which is not suitable in the national parks,” she said. “Canada’s national parks are absolutely iconic, they’re world famous, they’re world heritage sites and it’s just something that shouldn’t be happening here.”

Thiessen, from Parks Canada, noted that private companies such as hotels and restaurants and ski hill operators have worked within national parks for years.

Radium Hot Springs set to be privatized under Parks Canada plan

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